How to Get Driving license in Kolkata?

Kolkata is home to a bustling city full of on-the-go people. The city of Kolkata is known for its busy nature and life often doesn’t take a pause here. The city is one of the large metropolitans of India and is home to West Bengal. It has one of the most developed road networks across any city in India.

Driving around the city of Kolkata is quite good and fun. But you’ll need a valid driving license to drive around the city. A driving license is one of the mandatory things required for anyone to drive around, be it Kolkata or any other place in India. The RTO office of Kolkata governs the entire functioning of the driving license in Kolkata. Let’s find out more about it down below:

Types of Driving License

The RTO has the full authority and power to award and govern the license application process. They mandate the rules and award the license to the eligible candidates based on their application. There are various categories of driving licenses that you can apply for. Here’s a brief on them:

  • License for two-wheelers without gear
  • The first type of license offered in Kolkata is the license for the two-wheelers which are without any gears. This kind of license can be used to drive basic vehicles like scooters, mopeds, and other motorcycles without gears.
  • License for Light Motor Vehicle
  • The second type of license on offer in Kolkata is the license designed for light motor vehicles. This includes the two-wheelers with gears and other motorized vehicles. You can use this kind of license to drive vehicles like SUVs, motorcycles with gears, hatchbacks, cars, and more.
  • License for Commercial or Transport Vehicle
  • The third category of the driving license is also the last category of license on offer in Kolkata. This kind of license is designed for commercial or transport vehicles. The vehicles like medium or heavy-duty ones used either for passenger transport or goods transport can be used here. The type of vehicles include trucks, buses, trailers, delivery vans, jeeps, and more.

RTO License fees

Some various fees come with the driving license application and other procedures. These fees are part of the revenue structure and are more often nominal ones. Here let’s take a look at the RTO license fees for DL Kolkata down below:

  1. Driving License Fees
  • Learner’s Driving License Fees – INR 200
  • Learner’s Driving License Renewal Fees – INR 200
  • Fees for Driving License Issuance – INR 200
  • Fees for Driver’s License Test – INR 300
  • Fees for Driver License Renewal – INR 200
  • Fees for International Driver’s License – INR 1000
  • Fees for Driver’s license Renewal – INR 200
  • Fees for Issue/Renewal of license for driving school – INR 10000
  • Fees for Duplicate License for Driving School– Rs 5000

 

Eligibility Criteria

There are a few eligibility rules that a candidate or an applicant needs to adhere to for being eligible for the driver’s license in Kolkata. Here’s a brief on those rules:

  • For a two-wheeler with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 ccs
  • The person should bear a minimum age of 16 years.
  • For a two-wheeler or motorized four-wheeler with an engine capacity exceeding 50 ccs
  • The person should bear a minimum age of 18 years.
  • For commercial or transport vehicle
  • The person should bear a minimum age of 20 years.
  • Application for Permanent License
  • A person who qualifies via the driving test is awarded the learner’s license to start with. They will then have to apply for the permanent license after 30 days and within 180 days of being awarded the learner’s license.

Documents Required

There are a few mandatory documents that an applicant needs to submit with the application form and fees. These documents authenticate the validity of the person and deem him/her to be eligible for the license. Let’s check out the list of documents down below:

  • Application Form 4, i.e., Driving License Form 4
  • Application Form 5, i.e., Driving License Form 5 (If commercial vehicle)
  • A valid copy or original learner’s license
  • Medical certificate
  • Physical fitness certificate
  • Recent passport size photographs
  • ID proof (birth certificate, passport, school certificate, PAN Card)
  • Address Proof (Ration card, Voter’s ID card, Election Card, Passport)
  • Application fees

 

How to Apply Offline

The application for the driving license can be done in both ways, i.e. offline and online in West Bengal. We here will take a look at the offline procedure before following up with the online procedure down below. Read along.

Step 1: Find the nearest RTO office from your home. Visit the RTO Office.

Step 2: Go to the inquiry desk and ask for the driving license application form from the counter.

Step 3: Now fill the application form with the required details. Also, attach the additional documents that are mentioned in the application form.

Step 4: Submit the application form along with the documents and the photo at the counter. Pay the application fees for the driving license.

Step 5: Now once your form is submitted you can select the driving test time slot as desired.

Step 6: Go to the test center on the day of the test and clear the rounds. After this, you will be provided with the learner’s license.

How to Apply Online

You can easily fill the form online also and save time and effort. Here are the steps for it:

Step 1: Click on the link https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/

Step 2: Click on the online services options. Then proceed to select the driving license-related services.

Step 3: Then select West Bengal from the list of states under the box. This will allow you to navigate to your state laws.

Step 4: There select the driver’s license application form and fill the form. Also, look to attach the additional documents with the form.

Step 5: Now submit the form and pay the fees for the application.

Step 6: Then select the driving test time and go to the test center on the designated day. Clear the tests and you will be provided a learner’s license.

 

Driving License Application Status

You can also check the status of your driving license application right from your home with the use of the internet. It uses similar steps to online form filling and can be done as:

Step 1: Click on the link https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/

Step 2: Now go to the Online Services tab. Click on it and a drop-down menu will appear. Select Driving License Related Services from the list.

Step 3: Then select the state name West Bengal from the box.

Step 3: Now click on the apply online which will take you to a new page.

Step 4: There click on the Application Status and enter your driving license application number along with your date of birth. Don’t; forget to enter the captcha along with it.

Step 5: The screen will show you the application status of your driving license.

How to Apply for a Duplicate Driving License

You can apply for a duplicate driving license via these steps:

Required documents for Application of Duplicate License

  • Application form LLD for Duplicate driving license
  • FIR Copy (If the license is stolen)
  • Driving license details
  • ID proof of the license holder
  • Age Proof documents
  • Address proof
  • Copy of original license

 

  • Steps for application of duplicate driving license.
  • Step 1: Go to the link https://transport.wb.gov.in/governance-services/
  • Step 2: There go to the download section and download the application form for duplicate driving license.
  • Step 3: Print out the form and fill it in with the right details.
  • Step 4: Attach the necessary documents mentioned in the form along with the form.
  • Step 5: Submit the form to the RTO office located nearby along with the documents, photo, and application fees.
  • Step 5: The RTO office will process your fees and you will receive your duplicate driving license in a few days.

How to Renew

The driving license in Kolkata comes with a validity of 20 years or till the license holder reaches the age of 50 years whichever earlier. After that, the person needs to renew the license upon the expiry of it.

  • Required documents for renewal
  • Copy of Expired driving license
  • Application form 9 for Driving License Renewal
  • Medical certificate 1 and 1A
  • Recent passport photos
  • ID proof and age proof
  • Renewal fees

 

  • Steps for renewal of driving license
  • Locate the nearest RTO office in your locality and ask for the renewal form for your driving license. Fill the form and submit it to the counter. On the other hand, you can also apply for the same online as:
  • Step 1: Go to the link https://transport.wb.gov.in/governance-services/
  • Step 2: Go to the downloads section and download the application form for driving license renewal.
  • Step 3: Print out the application form and fill in the required details in the form. Also, attach the documents as mentioned in the form.
  • Step 4: Visit the nearest RTO office in your locality and submit your form and the application fees.
  • Step 5: The RTO office will process your application and will provide you a renewed driving license in a few days.

 

Driving Test Procedure

Any applicant applying for the driving license in Kolkata, West Bengal needs to appear for the driving tests and clear the rounds. The driving tests for two-wheelers and four-wheelers are different. For a two-wheeler, a person needs to drive around in the designated area and showcase traffic knowledge, control of the two-wheeler, and ability. This will be inspected by the inspector who will then provide the approval.

As for a four-wheeler, the person needs to first drive in the test center in the designated pattern and showcase the ability to maneuver, drive around, follow the traffic rules, and also know the close controls. They will then have to drive out on the roads where the inspector will give the final verdict.

 

FAQs

What is the validity of a commercial license?

The commercial license comes with a validity of 3 years in Kolkata.

What is the validity of the international driving license in Kolkata?

The validity for the international driving license in Kolkata is of 1 year.

How can I check my driving license application status in Kolkata?

You can easily check the driving license application status from the government portal or by visiting the RTO office manually.